Breaking News:

HEALTH

Code Blue alerts helping reduce frostbite injuries at U of U Health Burn Center

Jan 17, 2025, 4:00 PM

code blue frostbite press conference...

Director of University of Utah Health Burn Center Giavonni Lewis, left, and University of Utah Health Burn Center Community Outreach Coordinator Courtney Lawrence address frostbite at a press conference outside the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (Tess Crowley/Deseret News)

(Tess Crowley/Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — Doctors at the University of Utah Health’s Burn Center are warning people to watch out for frostbite as we enter winter’s coldest months. They’re also calling Code Blue alerts a success.

Burn Center Director Dr. Giavonni Lewis said before Code Blue alerts began in 2023, they’d see around 30 patients for cold-related injuries like frostbite.

“We’ve seen at least a half in the number of admissions to our hospital for frostbite injuries [since then],” Lewis said.

Utah Office of Homeless Services Director Tricia Davis Winter said they’ve enacted 66 Code Blues since Oct. 15, helping unsheltered people experiencing homelessness find emergency shelters to get out of the cold.

Burn Center Community Outreach Coordinator Courtney Lawrence said they’ve been teaching outreach street teams how to recognize frostbite symptoms and give out clothes to help people warm up.

Even though the number of people the hospital treats for frostbite is down, Burn Center surgeon Dr. Irma Fleming said people need to remember it doesn’t have to be freezing for someone to get frostbite.

“It doesn’t have to be 32 degrees. If you’re wet and you’re cold, the moisture actually cools you off even more. So if you’re sweating in your socks, your feet are wet. And you’re outside doing snow activities and it still may be 35 degrees outside. You may still have some frostbite symptoms,” Fleming said.

Related: 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Health

FILE - People wave signs to passing cars during a pro-transgender rights protest outside of Seattle...

LEA SKENE Associated Press

Federal judge pauses President Trump’s order restricting gender-affirming care for trans youth

Trumps order blocks support for gender-affirming health care for transgender people under age 19.

16 hours ago

A bill that would have eliminated cost-sharing from follow-up breast cancer examinations is now on ...

Allessandra Harris Gurr

Utah bill to expand breast cancer coverage put on hold

A bill that would have eliminated cost-sharing from follow-up breast cancer examinations is now on hold.

1 day ago

Respiratory illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV are on the rise across the U.S....

Michelle Lee

Simple ways to keep respiratory illnesses away

Let’s Get Moving Host Maria Shilaos spoke with Nicole Henry with CVS to learn what we can do to protect ourselves from respiratory illnesses.

5 days ago

Kaysville City officials confirmed that the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District had added water ...

Simone Seikaly

Kaysville City tells residents why water smells like chlorine

Weber officials recently added water from groundwater wells, which, because of extra processing, created the chlorine smell.

7 days ago

wegovy, one of many weight loss drugs...

Allessandra Harris Gurr

Popular weight loss drugs may play a factor in vision loss, review shows

Ingredients in popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro may play a role in vision complications, such as eye stroke.

8 days ago

The Weber County Animal Shelter reported it had to euthanize at least 18 dogs after a canine parvov...

Simone Seikaly

Parvovirus outbreak leads to euthanizations at Weber County Animal Services

The Weber County Animal Shelter said it had to euthanize at least 18 dogs that had been vaccinated but contracted parvovirus anyway.

10 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Filing taxes online using a computer...

The Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Tax time is approaching. What to do if you have debilitating IRS debt

Is the IRS threatening you with wage garnishment, asset seizure or business closure? Here are some ideas to resolve your tax dilemma.

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

Code Blue alerts helping reduce frostbite injuries at U of U Health Burn Center